lfriedman@ucsd.edu

My interest in visual research and visual culture grew out of my training as a still photographer and my fascination with the idea of using photography as an instrument of voice and a tool of ethnographic research.  In my undergraduate work, I studied photography from the perspectives of social science and developed a strong interest in learning about the ways in which people contextualize visual images. This includes the ways in which people process visual images beyond surface meaning by integrating what they see with what they hold to be true about themselves and the world around them.

Among my research interests are the experiences of young adults who face life-threatening illness.  I am very much interested in alternative forms of representation and hope to use written word and photography to give voice to the human experience of clinical illness.  Approaches to understanding illness are traditionally examined through biomedical, oral, and textual discourse.  I feel that the study of illness from a social science/photographic perspective is important in that this interpretation can be used to articulate more implicit aspects of societal and personal understanding of the illness concept.

A related research interest in health and mental health related to social and organization-level disparities among diverse groups of people was intensified through my work as a research assistant in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida.

This Time Nothing
Exploring ethnographic portraiture, self-portraiture, and life threatening illness.

Tomatoes, Peanuts, and Fresh Squeezed Juice
Photographic ethnography exploring the culture of central Florida roadside produce stands and the people behind them.  Research funded by a University of South Florida research grant and published online by DocumentaryWorks (www.documentaryworks.org/stories.htm), a community-based organization devoted to the study of all forms of documentary.

Florida Platform: Travel, Adventure, and Motion
Platform is a community collaboration of artisans and art lovers showing unique and innovative work in art, film, and sound.  This show was a personal exploration into various portrayals and constructions of identity including images displayed in several large grids.

Florida Boom Towns
During the 1920’s Florida experienced large-scale growth and development as Henry Flagler and Henry Plant constructed their hotel and railroad empires.  This photographic essay documents some of these boom towns as they exist today and was selected for exhibition in the Kingston Gallery in Daytona, Florida

Friedman, L., Callejas, L., Nesman, T., Mowery, D, & Gamache, P. (2006). Research with African American Populations. In M. Hernandez, T. Nesman, M. Isaacs, M., L.M. Callejas, & D. Mowery (Eds.). (2006). Examining the research base supporting culturally competent children’s mental health services. (Making children’s mental health services successful series, FMHI pub. no. 240-1) (pp. 23-56). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research & Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Friedman, L., Callejas, L., Nesman, T., Mowery, D, & Gamache, P. (2006). Research with Asian Pacific Islander Populations. In M. Hernandez, T. Nesman, M. Isaacs, M., L.M. Callejas, & D. Mowery (Eds.). (2006). Examining the research base supporting culturally competent children’s mental health services. (Making children’s mental health services successful series, FMHI pub. no. 240-1) (pp. 23-56). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research & Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Friedman, L. (2005). Literature review and analysis: Evidence-based treatment/intervention and practices for mental health related to racial/ethnic populations. Tampa, FL: NAMBA.                       

Hernandez, M. & Friedman, L. (May, 2007). Organizational and research based strategies for increasing access and utilization of mental health services for diverse populations. Presented at the building on family strengths conference. Portland, OR.

Hernandez, M., Nesman, T., Callejas, L. & Friedman, L. (March, 2007). Organizational and research-based strategies for increasing access and utilization of mental health services for diverse populations. Workshop presented at the 20th annual research and training center conference on a System of Care for Children's Mental Health:  Expanding the Research Base Tampa, FL.

Batsche, C., Chiriboga, D., Hernandez, M., & Friedman, L. (2007). Defining what we mean by mental health disparity: Finding a shared definition to drive research and development in the field. Topical Discussion at the 20th annual meeting of A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base, Tampa, FL.

Friedman, L. (2006, February).  Evidence-based practices and their impact on families and consumers of color. Symposium Presentation (Hernandez, M., Isaacs, M., Echo-Hawk, H., & Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Symposium Chairs) at the 19th annual research conference on a System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base Tampa, FL.

Memberships: Society for Visual Anthropology, American Anthropological Association, Golden Key International Honor Society, International Communication Association, and Society for Applied Anthropology.

Previous Volunteer Work: Includes “Get Out to Vote” Campaigns, planting trees with the Chico Mendez Foundation, and participating in Casa Xejaju’s La Pedrera Project which aims to encourage the development of a self-supportive economy and culture among indigenous communities of La Pedrera and Casa Xelaju.

Most recent volunteer work as inaugural member of the USF Service Learning Leadership Academy, combining training and discussion meetings with service in year-long community projects. Collected visual and oral histories of elderly members of East Tampa, an historic community. Part of Florida’s Front Porch Initiative working toward holistic community revitalization.